Four-star Portinari spoiling its guests
Since last year, guests of the four-star Portinari Hotel in Bruges can freely quench their thirst 24/7. Owner Anthony Vermeersch had an AQUALEX tap installed at the reception desk, where they can tap unlimited water. This fits perfectly in the vision of the hotel, which pays much attention to quality materials, design, art & craftsmanship, and sustainability.
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Four-star hotel Portinari is located right in the historical heart of Bruges, on 't Zand. When Anthony Vermeersch took over the hotel a few years ago, which was in need of a makeover. The result of the extensive renovation works is more than successful. Hotel Portinari has become a balanced mix of classic luxury and modern ambience. Here you will find 40 attractively furnished rooms and a flat that can be transformed into a cosy meeting room.
The rich history of Bruges plays an important role here - which explains the name of the hotel. The Italian Tommaso Portinari started working as a bank employee in Bruges in the fifteenth century. Business loans were not his strongest asset, but he did spend his own fortune well. His position as a financier of the Burgundian dukes ensured that, as a patron, he had a major influence on art and culture in Bruges. "With Hotel Portinari we are returning to the tradition of the time: this should be a city palace in the heart of the vibrant city centre, where you can also escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
For the (re)design Anthony mainly relied on local partners. "The steel tablets, the cupboards, the art...: they are all manufactured by beautiful local companies", he says. On the one hand, the hotel breathes history of Bruges, and on the other hand, contemporary art is also a leitmotiv in the interior. A subtle wink to the past is never far away. "For example, we have already collaborated with the art academy on several occasions. Final-year students created photo works of art referring to Magritte and the Flemish Primitives.”
Sustainable materials
Anthony's intention was to transform Hotel Portinari into a place of tranquillity, refinement and pride in Bruges. He achieves this by, for example, using high-quality, sustainable materials that last a long time. "We avoid plastics as much as possible. That is why we went looking for an alternative to plastic bottles or plastic water bottles. The idea of pumping up water abroad, putting it in plastic bottles and transporting it here, that's just ridiculous, isn't it? Especially since the quality of our tap water is excellent. That's why we decided to offer tap water free of charge to our hotel guests."
Since last year, a Fine Touch Black faucet has been installed in the reception area, near the breakfast corner. "A great convenience for our hotel guests and for our staff," Anthony explains. "Before, we used to fill the refrigerators in the rooms with fresh water. Now every client is provided with a Dopper bottle in their room. When they leave their room, they can very easily refill their bottle themselves. It ensures that they always have fresh water at hand, both in the hotel itself and outside our premises." Practical and environmentally friendly. Anthony clarifies: "We offer these refillable bottles and the water, but we don't actively communicate about it. Because we certainly don't want to be patronising when it comes to sustainability," he says.
An AQUALEX designer tap was also installed on the first floor of the flat. There you can find a Twin Touch Round black. "The room can be transformed into a cosy meeting room where guests can also have lunch or dinner. That is why it was decided to also provide flat and sparkling water there." Both taps are an added value for the hotel guests and for the staff, who save a lot of time by using them. Thanks to their design, they fit perfectly into the stylish interior of the hotel. "The maintenance contract is also a big plus," Anthony believes.
The installation of the taps was just one part of the investments Hotel Portinari made during the corona period. "In the hospitality sector, we strongly believe in counter-cyclical investment," Anthony explains. "We repainted the rooms, renovated the flat and redecorated our restaurant. It is now a fish bar called Mère du Nord, serving quality products from the North Sea. We are ready to welcome guests from all over the world again and look forward to a good summer for Bruges."
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